For the second year in a row, Syracuse takes on Clemson with an undefeated record and looks to prove itself against a team that Dino Babers has beaten only once in eight years.

In the past two seasons, the Orange have taken the Tigers right down to the wire. The last time Clemson came to the JMA Wireless Dome, SU lost 17-14 as Andre Szymt missed a 48-yard field goal in the last minute. Down in Death Valley in 2022, Syracuse’s undefeated record went up in smoke as Garrett Shrader threw a game-ending interception in the red zone, sealing the 27-21 defeat. DJ Uiagalelei struggled, leading to Cade Klubnik coming in and lead a comeback after the Tigers trailed by 11 points in the second half.

Babers said the players who competed against Clemson before are getting excited for Saturday’s matchup. He said he doesn’t need to motivate those players, and needs to focus on the Orange’s newcomers.

“The biggest thing is the guys that are in here that never played before,” Babers said. “And for those guys to figure it out this week that they need to step up their game because they’re playing one of the top teams in the conference.”

Here are some more takeaways from Babers’ weekly presser:

Babers on the team from South Carolina

Even though Clemson lost to No. 17 Duke and No. 5 Florida State, Babers still believes the Tigers are a championship-caliber team. Dabo Swinney’s group has two dominant wins against Florida Atlantic and Charleston Southern and made an Orange Bowl appearance in 2022. When talking about last year’s matchup between the Orange and Tigers, Babers noted the physicality of the game.

“The biggest thing was the game is so physical,” Babers said. “The turning point was that (the game) was 15 rounds. We didn’t get the decision at the end and we were beat up.”

Babers also equated the physicality to “Rocky III,” expecting that there will be pain.

While the Orange contained Uiagalelei and Klubnik, they struggled to stop running back Will Shipley, who ran for 172 yards and two touchdowns. This season, Shipley rushed for 114 yards against the Blue Devils and has averaged 5.4 yards per carry. Babers called Shipley a senior version of LeQuint Allen Jr., and noted his blocking and catching ability.

Babers also saved some praise for Klubnik, especially for his performance against FSU. Against the Seminoles, Klubnik threw for 283 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He said the second-year starter was “throwing dimes” and that Klubnik thrived against the various coverages Florida State threw at him, specifically noting one play after his many hours of film study this morning.

“I’ve been watching tape since 2:25 this morning,” Babers said. “But there was a play in the Florida State game where he knows he’s about to get hit. And he just holds it, holds it, holds it, lets it go, gets hit…and you could just see his eyes…and he didn’t flinch a whiff.”

Garrett Riley vs. Rocky Long

Syracuse defensive coordinator Rocky Long has been called many things during his tenure with SU. His players have called him “The Godfather.” Babers referred to him as an “artist.”

Long will now go up against Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who replaced Brandon Streeter in January. Riley, the younger brother of USC head coach Lincoln Riley, has been the subject of consternation among Tigers’ fans, especially after his offense’s dreadful performance against Duke. Despite the loss, the Tigers’ offense outperformed both the Blue Devils and the then-No. 4 Seminoles this past Saturday.

Babers didn’t really get into the matchup entirely. He specifically mentioned how the coaches can provide adjustments, but the players still have to go out and perform. This comment comes a week after Long drew up a defensive play at halftime during the Purdue, where the Orange allowed 13 points in the second half.

“The coaches are like GAs or TAs, they get to help them with the test,” Babers said. “But they can’t really give them the answer. (The players) got to figure out some of that stuff for themselves.”

Injury updates

Babers answered rapid fire questions about potential injuries. Cornerback Jeremiah Wilson should be “OK” for this coming Saturday after he was a little shaken up against Army. As for the offensive line, Joe More and Kalan Ellis, who were both tapped to be playing in Week 1 still have not played a snap for the Orange. In regards to Ellis, Babers said he doesn’t know if he can come back for the game against the Tigers. On More, SU’s head coach said he hopes the guard can come back.

After D’Marcus Adams spent the first three games as the Orange’s primary returner, Trebor Pena made his return to the field against Army. Adams and Pena split duties against the Black Knights. Pena is not listed as a returner this week, and Babers said he’s “not quite sure” where the receiver is health-wise.

When it came to wide receiver Isaiah Jones, who Babers said will be out for a while with no timetable for a return, the head coach said he didn’t want to get into specifics, only noting that he suffered a lower body injury against Purdue. This proves to be another setback for Jones, who suffered a season-ending injury against the Boilermakers in 2022. SU’s depth chart has been updated, with freshman Darrell Gill Jr. and redshirt sophomore Kendall Long taking Jones’ spot.

Published on September 25, 2023 at 1:50 pm

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